Police in the Chicago suburb of Hanover Park are warning residents that coyotes suffering from mange are being confused for sickly looking stray dogs.

The Hanover Park Police Department posted to Facebook, writing that people have been contacting them after spotting the animals which appear to be malnourished or neglected pets.

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"These are NOT lost pets, but are in fact coyotes," officers wrote.

Police say sarcoptic mange causes the coyotes to lose some hair and develop infections. It is caused by various types of mites. The infections impact their eyesight, which could make the coyotes become more active during the day.

"Infected animals will often appear "mangy" - which looks just like it sounds. They suffer hair loss and develop secondary infections, eventually looking like some sort of "zombie" dog," the post reads. "Please DO NOT approach these animals or allow your pets to approach them."

The mange is contagious to other canines.

The state Natural Resources department says coyotes are abundant in the southern, southeastern and west-central parts the state.